Most common 2012 Lincoln MKT problems
Share of the 27 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lincoln MKT complaints by model year
Best MKT years: 2017, 2016, 2018. Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2010. Compare all years →
2012 Lincoln MKT recalls (1)
Steering › Electric power assist system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC).
What 2012 Lincoln MKT owners say
Steering
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed, the Service Advancetrac warning light was illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with steering rack and pinion failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the repair would be covered under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000(Steering); however, the contact was later informed that the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer scheduled an appointment with the dealer on the contact's behalf; however, the dealer declined to perform the repair. …
The contact's grandmother owned a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that when his grandmother was starting the vehicle, she experienced a loss of power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The contact's grandmother was then offered and agreed to a trade-in. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2012 Lincoln MKT. The contact stated that the twin-turbo became inoperable. The contact stated that oil was entering the exhaust and the contact was unable to see other vehicles. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and referred him to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
My 2012 Lincoln MKT with the 3.5l twin turbo v6 EcoBoost engine is having the same issue with the fuel pump as the 2013-2015 MKT models that were part of recall campaign #16s31. My car was also manufactured at the same oakville assembly and within the dates specified. I was driving when the car stalled and then stopped suddenly stop as I was making a right turn and would not turn back on. There were no alerts or indicators on the dash. When I tried to turn the car back on, the dash lit up but the car would not turn over. There was a lot of oil under the car which appeared to spill out when the fuel pump overheated which caused the engine to overheat. I am now being told I need a new engine and turbo chargers. I have only owned the car for 7 months and have driven it only 7500 miles when this happened. The car had 2 full synthetic oil changes during this time. …
2012 Lincoln MKT engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Lincoln MKT a good car?
Based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 MKT rates average: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the MKT at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Lincoln MKT?
The steering — 19 complaints, 70% of all complaints for this model year, most often about column. Next are the engine & cooling (3) and electrical system (2).
How many recalls does the 2012 Lincoln MKT have?
There is 1 recall for the 2012 Lincoln MKT, the most recent from June 2, 2015 (electric power assist system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lincoln MKT?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2016 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2014 and 2010. See the full Lincoln MKT years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Lincoln MKT problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 84,000 miles; 32% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.